Intuitive & Talented

As a former special education teacher and now a principal who has had the privilege of working closely with Gigi, I am delighted to provide this testimonial in her honor. Gigi is an outstanding school psychologist.

Gigi possesses an extraordinary ability to assess and evaluate students’ needs. What truly distinguishes her is her remarkable talent for establishing authentic connections with students. Her approach is empathetic and provides the vital support needed for students to effectively navigate their challenges. In addition to her work with students, she seamlessly collaborates with parents, teachers, and other professionals within the school system. Her insights and recommendations consistently reflect a practical, realistic, and individualized approach tailored to each student’s unique requirements.

Gigi’s impact goes well beyond her direct work with students. She is an active contributor to our school community by organizing workshops and training sessions for teachers, equipping them with valuable strategies and techniques. Furthermore, she has initiated and led parent workshops in both English and Spanish, offering invaluable resources and support to our school’s families.

~ Abhi D.

Professional, Insightful

I serve as the Program Director for an after-school program, and I had the privilege of taking the Childhood Disorders & Interventions Workshop presented by Avansa Coaching, with Gigi as the speaker. This workshop provided me with valuable insights into various childhood disorders, including some that I had not heard of before, and equipped me with numerous strategies for effectively addressing the diverse challenges faced by our students.

For example, learning about ODD (Oppositional Defiance Disorder) was new to me, despite my over 14 years of experience working with children, and comprehending its characteristics and effective communication strategies has become essential.  I wish workshops like this was offered sooner.  The workshop was not only informative, but it was also enjoyable.  Gigi has an energetic and welcoming personality who knows how to keep her audience engaged.  Oftentimes, members of the audience were asked to participate in demonstrations and offered opportunities to practice what was being taught.  It was an impressive experience where the skills learned will be carried on for years to come. 

~ Cassidy S.

Bilingual & Transformative

I am a bilingual parent liaison who assisted Gigi and attended the parent workshops at our high school.  This was a transformative process not only for me, but also for our parents.  I was especially moved by the fact that these workshops were also offered in Spanish because I think latino families often feel isolated and therefore, to witness traditional latino families and couples excitedly and actively participate in these workshops was incredible.  Gigi always started her sessions with a guided meditation and to see families who have never been exposed to meditation embrace this practice along with all the other activities was nothing short of extraordinary.  Parents walked away with more insight, better coping skills to manage anxiety/depression/trauma, and better communication skills.  Gigi also discussed generational trauma which was something I had never heard of before, and the impact that can have within family systems.  One can easily see that Gigi really cares about her community.  She is dynamic, intelligent, and genuinely wants to help others.

~ Christian C.